What is a leader? You can ask this question of 100 people and receive as many responses. With consistency, however, you will find the following traits among great leaders. A leader has conviction in her beliefs and the courage to pursue those beliefs in the face of opposition. A leader can rally people to accomplish goals bigger than himself. A leader sees the potential in people and helps instill in them the desire and fortitude to reach their true potential. A leader has a vision coupled with the tenacity and passion to create the action plan to inspire others to stretch to reach it. While some may say leadership  can be lonely at the top, I know a group of leaders who may beg to differ.

Tempe is the fortunate recipient of 25 years of leadership graduates from the Tempe Leadership program. Nearly 500 leaders have graduated from the 9-month program and their impact on the community can be seen in and countless ways.

To read the rest of the article, click here:

http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/2010/03/19/20100319tr-jakel0320.html

Tempe Leadership Celebrates 25 Years

By: Joan Jakel, Class XXI

Special to the AZ Republic

March 20, 2010

The dormant forces of winter have surrendered, spring is in the air and life is blossoming all around us. Following the course of nature, the 25^th Anniversary Committee has been working tirelessly through the winter to create a celebration that will delight and amaze alumni and the community as we continue to celebrate Tempe Leadership’s impact on the community for the last 25 years.  Thanks to Vic Linoff, we have an impassioned history of the origins of the Tempe Leadership program.  You can have a sneak peak of the results of his research in an article in the Chamber’s newsletter, Click here.  Vic will also dedicate 2 columns in the AZ Republic to share the results of his research as a build up for our celebration on April 9^th at the Tempe Center for the Arts where you will be able to enjoy the rest of the story.

While we have many amazing community partners, Cox Communications has stepped up to be the Presenting Sponsor for our celebration.  As part of their contributions, Cox is creating a video that showcases recipients of Tempe Leadership’s various programs, including Tempe Cares and class projects.  We spent a day videotaping at Hatton Hall and look forward to working with Cox to edit the video to a final product to share at the celebration.  Please join me in sending a huge “Thanks!” to Cox Communications!

Speaking of videos, Senator McCain is not able to join us in person, but will be attending our celebration via a video presentation that we will air at event.  Representative Harry Mitchell will be joining our celebration and he has kicked off our celebration on a national scale when he officially recognized the importance of the Tempe Leadership program on the floor of the House of Representatives and created an Official Congressional Record of our celebration.  Not to be outdone by their federal counterpart, the Arizona legislature recognized and congratulated the Tempe Leadership program and wished the program continued success in developing future community leaders.  We have provided a copy of both the state and federal proclamations on our website, www.tempeleadership25.com

The celebration will share storyboards of our history and our Conversations in Leadership illustrious panelists will weave our history with the outlook for our future as we look at where we’ve been and officially launch into our next twenty five years of progress.  You do not want to miss this event so hurry and buy your tickets and save your seat before we have a sell-out crowd!  You can purchase your tickets or obtain a Tempe Alumni Sponsorship for $300 that includes 2 tickets, name recognition at the event and vital funding support to continue the reach of the Tempe Leadership program at www.tempeleadership25.com.

I look forward to celebrating with you on April 9^th!

Joan Jakel-Smith

25^th Anniversary Committee Chair

Get your tickets for the Shower Power! night at the Phoenix Suns February 19. (TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO PURCHASE TICKETS)  There are still tickets available to watch the Suns play the Atlanta Hawks.  Get your tickets at a discount price while supporting Shower Power!  Plus, you get to watch warm-up court-side, get a Suns backpack, and be in a group picture with the other supporters and 2 Suns Cheerleaders!    Click here.

“Shower Power will greatly assist the working homeless in the East Valley. It’s a simple idea that will make a difference in the lives of many.”

Class XXV contacts are;
Fund Raising Lauren Kuby lauren.kuby@asu.edu
Media Info Tanya Chavez Tanya@showerpower.org or phone 480.252.8354
TCAA/I-HELP Stephen Sparks stephens@tempeaction.org
Events Bobbie Bennett drbobbie@bodywisechiro.net
Hygiene Supplies Nancy Berg nberg18@yahoo.com

DONATE NOW ONLINE Remember to select Shower Power from the drop down Shower Power!

FAQ – UPDATED 3/03/2010

Q: What is Shower Power!? A: Shower Power! is the ambitious and exciting class project of Tempe Leadership Class XXV. Inspired by the Tempe Leadership classes that have come before them, Class XXV has seized upon an outstanding project that will benefit Tempe now and leave a legacy of caring far into the future. This project, known as Shower Power!, will provide showers to homeless individuals who participate in the Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program (I-HELP), which provides overnight shelter to the working homeless. Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA) is a non-profit human services organization that created and manages I-HELP. Seven nights a week, 25 faith-based organizations open up their facilities to provide shelter, food, and other services to the growing population of working homeless in our community through the I-HELP program.
Q: What is Tempe Leadership? A: Tempe Leadership is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, community-spirited program of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce that identifies emerging leaders and fosters leadership skills through education, experience, exposure and service to the Tempe community. http://www.tempeleadership.org Q: Who is in Tempe Leadership Class XXV? A: Class XXV members are; Bobbie Bennett, Nancy Berg, Eric Bergman, Tanya Chavez, Angela Creedon, David Felix, Joel Gilmore, Linda Huber, Kevin Kaesberg, Sandra Keeme, Lauren Kuby, Tiffany Miner, Michael Parker, Durrie Parks, Alissa Pierson, Stephen Sparks.
Q: What services for the homeless does Tempe currently provide? A: There are no shelters or day services for the homeless in Tempe. Showers are available to the homeless on a first-come-first-serve basis only twice a week (Monday and Friday) at only one location, the First United Methodist Church. We discovered that 30% of those benefiting from I-HELP who have obtained jobs, have then lost those jobs due their inability to bathe.
Q: What is the Shower Power! mobile trailer? A: Shower Power is a mobile shower facility that will allow for 2 showers at a time. Tempe Leadership is raising the money for the design, construction and delivery of the Shower Power! mobile shower trailer and a contribution to hygiene supplies. TCAA has generously offered to maintain and run the mobile shower trailer through its I-HELP program.
Q: What need does Shower Power! Fill? A: Shower Power is a mobile-shower facility that will enable working homeless in our community to take showers and help them to get and retain jobs while moving towards self- sufficiency.
Q: Who is responsible for Shower Power! once it is purchased? A: Tempe Leadership is raising the money for the design, construction and delivery of the Shower Power! mobile shower trailer and for a contribution to hygiene supplies. TCAA will operate the Shower Power! trailer including moving it from place to place, licensing, insuring, and garaging it. TCAA has arranged with each of the providers to allow the mobile trailer and to supply water. Garaging and grey water disposal is coordinated by TCAA through the City of Tempe. TCAA is fully committed to sustaining it once the unit has been given to them. TCAA will also maintain this site for at least a year to allow donors and anyone who is interested to track Shower Power!.
Q: How Can I Help? A: Tempe Leadership Class XXV has put together a suite of fund raising opportunities, including direct monetary donations, and one time corporate/business sponsorships to purchase the mobile shower unit and associated hygiene products. To make our dream a reality, we must raise $25,000 (we are over two thirds of the way there!)
“Time is short and the community is ever-increasing,” according to Class XXV member Lauren Kuby. “We live in challenging economic times with many charities in need. Please help us make Shower Power! a reality and contribute, even a small amount, today.”
Q: I currently support several charities with on-going donations. Is this a long term commitment? A: Tempe Leadership is raising the money for the design, construction and delivery of the Shower Power! mobile shower trailer and for a contribution to hygiene supplies. TCAA has generously offered to maintain and run the mobile shower trailer through its I-HELP program. While Leadership and TCAA welcome on-going gifts, this campaign is a one time capital campaign. You can give once, right now to help make Shower Power! a reality.
Q: WANT TO HELP TEMPE WORKING HOMELESS WITHOUT IT COSTING YOU A CENT? A: Did you know that you can give up to $200 (up to $400 for a couple) to an Arizona charity that benefits the working poor and receive an AZ tax credit for the same amount? It will lower the amount of taxes you pay or increase your refund for 2010!
Q: How can I make a tax-deductible donation to these 501c3 tax-exempt community spirited organizations right now?
Please contact Lauren Kuby, Fund Raising Committee Chair regarding sponsorship and in-kind donations. lauren.kuby@asu.edu

You can donate now in one of two ways:

1. Send a check, made out to

2. Donate by clicking on the Donate Button on the TCAA site. https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=5164&code=First%20Crush%20Tickets Please be sure to include the words “Shower Power,” in the subject line of your check and/or in the memo online and indicate whether or not you wish to be identified by name on a donors’ list. This is critical.

And you can support ongoing fund raising efforts - Shower Power Night at the Phoenix Suns February 19

Shop and enjoy a discount buffet at Tempe Whole Foods all day February 24. A percentage of the profits will benefit Shower Power!

Q: Will I get to see Shower Power! if I donate? A: There will be a celebration to mark the unveiling of Shower Power! in April or May. Additionally, donors and sponsors can choose to be recognized in a variety of ways, including online recognition. Additional recognition opportunities include an unveiling celebration in April or May 2010, and the annual gala Conversations in Leadership being held in April 2010.
Q: I have no money to give, but I have lots of hotel soaps and shampoos that I could donate. Where should I send them? A: Please contact Hygiene Committee Chair Nancy Berg, nberg18@yahoo.com

Q: I can put together an event. Who should I contact? A: Please contact Events Committee Chair Bobbie Bennett, drbobbie@bodywisechiro.net
Q: I can help get the word out about Shower Power!. Who should I contact? A: Please contact PR/Marketing Committee member Tanya Chavez. Tanya@showerpower.org
Q: What is TCAA? A: TCAA is a non-profit human services organization providing stability and independence to working poor families, children, seniors and homeless since 1966. http://www.tempeaction.org
Q: What is I-HELP A: In 2006, TCAA launched the Tempe Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program (I-HELP), a temporary, rotating, overnight shelter program for homeless individuals. I-HELP consists of a partnership between TCAA and 25 faith-based organizations that work together to provide shelter, food, and other services to the homeless in the city of Tempe. Seven nights a week, faith communities open up their facilities and provide shelter, food, and other services that enable people to become self sufficient. http://www.tempeaction.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=98&Itemid=85
Q: Who should I contact for additional info? A: Class XXV contacts are;
Fund Raising Lauren Kuby lauren.kuby@asu.edu
Media Info Tanya Chavez Tanya@showerpower.org
TCAA/I-HELP Stephen Sparks stephens@tempeaction.org
Events Bobbie Bennett drbobbie@bodywisechiro.net
Hygiene Supplies Nancy Berg nberg18@yahoo.com
Helpful links repeated below.

Online donation https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=5164&code=First%20Crush%20Tickets

Phoenix Suns February 19 https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/go.htmI?l=EN&t=suns&o=954214&g=1325
Tempe Leadership http://www.tempeleadership.org
Tempe Chamber http://www.tempechamber.org/index.php
TCAA http://www.tempeaction.org
Tempe First United Methodist Church http://www.tempefirstumc.org

Kick-Off of the Hygiene Drive for Shower Power!
January 28th, 4PM
BodyWise Chiropractic, 4685 S. Ash Avenue, Suite H-1, Tempe AZ 85282
Tempe Leadership Class XXV member Dr. Bobbie Bennett is holding a ribbon cutting for the new location of her business, BodyWise Chiropractic. In addition to celebrating Bobbie’s new location, you are invited to support Shower Power!, the exciting and ambitious project of Termpe Leadership Class XXV. Shower Power! will provide showers from a mobile shower trailer. There will be info on the many ways to support Shower Power!, including one-time direct monetary donations and business sponsorships, as well as bins for collecting hygiene items.
Donated hygiene items will be used on the mobile shower trailer. We are currently collecting trial size shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap and small bars of soap, towels, shaving cream, razors, combs and brushes.
“We will be collecting donations through the end of March 2010 at this location,” stated Dr. Bobbie Bennett, “please stop by anytime to donate.”

We had a wonderful informative meeting with our Tempe Legislators, and City Council Members at Tempe Neighborhood Day at the Capitol. Pictured, Eric Bergman, Caliente Construction and Class XXV, Tanya Chavez, City of Tempe and Class XXV with Bondi Bear, Elizabeth Thomas City of Tempe, David Felix SRP and Class XXV, Ben Arredondo Tempe City Council and Mark Mitchell, Tempe City Council.